Pope Leo XIV said Monday he will continue to raise his voice against war, even after U.S. President Donald Trump launched a sharp personal attack on him.
Speaking to reporters aboard his flight to Algiers, where he began a 10-day visit to four African nations, the first U.S.-born pontiff lamented what he described as the misuse of the Christian message.
“I don’t want to get into a debate with him. I don’t think that the message of the Gospel is meant to be abused in the way that some people are doing,” Leo told Reuters.
He stressed that his mission is rooted in the Gospel, not politics.
“I will continue to speak out loudly against war, looking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateral relationships among the states to look for just solutions to problems,” he said.
“Too many people are suffering in the world today. Too many innocent people are being killed. And I think someone has to stand up and say there’s a better way.”
The Chicago-born pope added:
“The message of the church, my message, the message of the Gospel: Blessed are the Peacemakers. I do not look at my role as being political, a politician.”
His remarks follow his recent criticism of the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and a renewed appeal against the “madness of war.”
Leo’s African tour — covering Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea — is his first major international trip since assuming the papacy last year. The visit comes amid heightened global tensions and Trump’s recent broadside against him on social media.